Most People Have No Idea This Gorgeous North Carolina Hotel Is Actually Haunted

Hotels always possess a certain energy that’s hard to put your finger on. It could be residual – from the overwhelming amount of people who have walked through the halls, laid their head on the same pillow, or stayed extended times in one of the rooms, adding in an aura of home and distance. Or it could be lingering visitors from the past. Those who share many great memories in this same spot, and even in the afterlife, are not quite ready to let go.

Of course, there’s always the ‘haunted hotel’ aspect as well. It’s no surprise that books, movies, and TV shows have honed in on this idea of lingering souls and mysteries behind the walls. While many ‘haunted hotels’ portray a seedier side of spending the night somewhere, it’s usually the most beautiful ones that are home to the most interesting secrets.

The 1927 Lake Lure Inn and Spa is one example of this. Built in 1927, the hotel met the need of the growing area tourism due to Chimney Rock. By 1880, Hickory Nut Gorge was viewed as a prime vacation destination. That same year, the 315-foot Chimney that defines Chimney Rock was made accessible to the public.

By 1904, Chimney Rock had been purchased by twin brothers Dr. Lucius Morse and Asahel Morse. They imagined a luxurious mountain resort where visitors could retreat to the peaks overlooking water or relax in the mountaintops. In 1925, the Rocky Broad River was first damned and by 1927 Lake Lure was established as well as the plush Foothills getaway of 1927 Lake Lure Inn.

Throughout the years, Lake Lure became famous for it's notable list of guests, ranging from F. Scott Fitzgerald to presidents Calvin Coolidge and Franklin Roosevelt. Yet it was more than the well-known living who really contributed to this gorgeous inn's rise to paranormal fame.

Yet things weren't always so glamorous, 1927 barely survived the Great Depression and shortly after, World War II began. In 1943, the Inn found a new purpose and was used as a convalescence home for wounded and shell-shocked soldiers. Rented by the Third Army Air Force, one soldier described his time there as, "a benediction of nature on us all after the horrors of war." An Army Band, led by Albert Hague (later known for his role in the TV series Fame) would serenade patients and try to instill hope.

Youtube / Michael Hulsey

In November of 2010, the Events and Catering Manager snapped what she thought was a simple picture of an event's ice sculpture. Yet, as the photo was more closely examined, there was a realization that she had captured much more than the moment, but perhaps a moment where our world and the afterlife collided. If you look closely to the left, the outline of a figure can be seen. The image went viral, perhaps further proving that our world and the next are only separated by a thin veil.

Soon enough, rumors swirled. Who perhaps could be this figure lurking behind the scenes? In 2009, Michael LaChiana, paranormal investigator and founder of The Heritage Hunters Society, did his first investigation at the hotel. Of the hotel itself, he describes it as a serene escape and that there's nothing eerie about it, even when he's captured questionable footage in the lobby at 2 a.m.

The three images were captured by LaChiana. The first, a clear view of the lobby, the second a blur, and the third an apparent image of a pant and leg.

Of capturing this ghostly footage, he says that his camera initially went blurry, and upon viewing more up-close examinations, he noticed the image of a man's pant captured above.

So who is exactly haunting this gorgeous Inn? For starters, there's a rumor of a young bride being murdered in one of the rooms. A shrill scream has been captured from within the hotel and event visitors have reported hearing it. When asking LaChiana who are the ghosts and why are they here, he explains that many spirits cling to places where they once felt happy, at home. It doesn't mean they passed away in this exact spot; it more so means they chose to return here once they passed over.

Can you really blame the spirits, though? There's no surprise famous faces called on the 1927 for a getaway, and today it's still in use as not only a hotel but a venue. The gorgeous views of Lake Lure and the surrounding foothills nestle you into a world away from your own and perhaps a world where ours and the spirit connects.

There's something mysterious about this hotel, indeed. The Heritage Hunters have completed two separate investigations, gathering both audio and video footage that reflect the hauntings. From the original owner sticking around, to guests who just want one more stay - here, you're getting more than a retreat with a view, but a whole paranormal experience.

Do you think the 1927 Lake Lure Inn is haunted? If so, have you had any personal experiences here?